Editor’s Notebook: Competition Light Music/ Funeral Reminders/ Correspondence/ Glenfiddich Date

One thing I found striking about the report this week on the 1934 Argyllshire Gathering was the tunes played in the light music: Shepherd’s Crook, Lochcarron, Piper’s Bonnet, Glengarry Gathering, and what must have been an early run of Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. Here we are, eight years off a century later, and these classic pieces are still what separates the great from the not so great players of ceòl…

RSPBA Hit Back Over Pipe Band College Claims

The RSPBA has responded to comments made by former Pipe Band College Piping Principal, Mr Jim Campbell. Mr Campbell’s comments followed the announcement earlier this month by Association Chairman Bob Niven of a ‘strategic reset’ of the College with new leaders and more focus on teaching. Read it here. In a long statement reported fully on Piping Press, Mr Campbell claimed that he and the other three College Principals, were…

Atholl Gathering 2026 Results – Updated

The Atholl Gathering was held yesterday (May 24) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. There were several call offs but still a very healthy entry with 17 in the P/A Piobaireachd. The weather was settled with some warmth and sunshine. There were graded senior contests for Piobaireachd. The March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open but split into four heats with three pipers in each progressing…

P/M Andy Venters

The death has been announced of P/M Andy Venters, Queen’s Own Highlanders. Andy was 90. Andy was a noted teacher of cadets and in schools and Pipe Major of the regiment and its ex-members association band. He was also a noted composer with several fine tunes to his name. Funeral details to follow.

Editor’s Notebook: Judging and Teaching/ 277 Argylls/ Perthshire League/ Strathendrick Boost/ ‘Redundant’ A

I want to double down on one of my comments in Brad Davidson’s report on my workshop in Ontario. Any rule or legislation in piping which discourages teaching, directly or indirectly, should be deplored by all right-thinking persons. Judging and teaching should not be seen as mutually exclusive, yet we now have experts, proven winners at the top of our business, who have turned their backs on the latter in…